Detecting Disease at the Molecular Level

The new system is ideal for the early detection and staging of cancer, heart disease, and other hard-to-diagnose disorders.

The system uses single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to perform a variety of imaging and nuclear medicine procedures. Its high definition detectors offer exceptional image quality, and its open design is more comfortable and less claustrophobic for patients.

While anyone can benefit from an open design, it is especially ideal for larger patients and those who need to communicate with caregivers during their exam, such as children or elderly patients. It also enables technologists to perform highly accurate organ and tissue-specific studies while accommodating stretchers and wheelchairs.

Nuclear medicine measures activity on a molecular level, so it can often detect diseases before they have progressed enough to be identified by other means, such as X-ray or MRI.

Patients are injected with a small amount of a targeted radioisotope based on the clinical need. Once injected, the isotope is attracted to a specific organ or region of the body, highlighting the area of concern.

Nuclear medicine exams are available with a signed physician order Monday through Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and may be scheduled by calling (888) 367-2778.

MidMichigan Health is a non-profit health system affiliated with the University of Michigan Health System. Headquartered in Midland, Mich., it covers a 14-county region with medical centers in Alma, Clare, Gladwin and Midland, as well as urgent care centers, home care, nursing homes, physicians, and other specialty services.

MidMichigan has 4,900 employees, physicians and volunteers. Last year, MidMichigan provided $74 million in charity care and other benefits to improve the health of the communities MidMichigan serves. www.midmichigan.org.